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Veterans put brakes on reform

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Carried into Congress on a wave of voter discontent over Republican ethics abuses, freshman Democrats are trying to make good on their campaign pledges to clean up Congress, but first they have to overcome opposition within their own party.

Ethical reforms have rarely been popular on Capitol Hill, where many senior lawmakers have spent decades operating within the same system and are loath to accept change. Some worry that reforms could hurt their fundraising efforts. Others fear the changes institute needless paperwork or create the appearance of wrongdoing where none exists. Still others are satisfied with the status quo, arguing that the old system works and the bad apples have been caught.

In fact, the very day that Democratic leaders unveiled the bill aimed at curbing lobbyists' influence, senior staff members were meeting in a windowless basement conference room with dozens of Democratic lobbyists to lay out the House's summer agenda. The lobbyists weren't asked to do anything, but they did get useful intelligence on when to plan their client pitches and a heads-up on what obstacles are out there, according to several who attended. For instance, Democratic staff expressed concerns about a set of upcoming votes on the Panama and Peru trade deals, a clear signal for lobbyists working those issues to step up efforts to rally the votes.

Meredith McGehee, policy director at the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center, said such meetings can be a slippery slope for Democrats who are facing tougher scrutiny, given their campaign promises. "Neither party is going to sever its ties with its traditional supporters; that's the reality of Washington," she said. "The point is not to stop dialogue; the point is to make sure there is no special access given and no threats and intimidation."

Into this unwelcoming atmosphere have stepped the Democratic freshmen, eager to establish an independent ethics panel and to place new curbs on lobbying. Many see these issues as the defining theme of the 2006 election and pivotal to their reelection campaigns. Some, such as Reps. Zack Space (D-Ohio) and Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.), were elected after their predecessors stepped down under ethical clouds. Space, Mahoney and nearly two dozen other freshmen gathered Wednesday morning to press for the independent ethics body, an issue they have revisited several times already this year.

"This new team in town of freshmen is going to make sure we carry this," said Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.). "We all know that some of the pushback comes from people who've been here the longest, and so we're the new kids in town."

But these rookies and their pledge to "drain the swamp" have gotten bogged down with some of their colleagues, even fellow Democrats.

"I think it stinks," said Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.). "I think we are posturing, and I think it's unnecessary." He argued that a measure requiring lobbyists to disclose the campaign contributions they bundle together for lawmakers would hamper fundraising efforts.

Clay had little sympathy for the freshmen, saying they could "show a record of accomplishment without having to do this grandstanding, getting on a soapbox, talking about how we're clean."

Readers' Comments (4)

This is the reason I am changing my voter registration from Democrat to Independent:

"I think it stinks," said Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.). "I think we are posturing, and I think it's unnecessary." He argued that a measure requiring lobbyists to disclose the campaign contributions they bundle together for lawmakers would hamper fundraising efforts.

Pelosi continues to be the witch of lies! Where's reform? Where's minimum wage? She's really the empty suit in all of this. The Demo freshman should call for new leadership vote or "Mariannas" Pelosi should resign.

Did you guys honestly believe things would change?! Do yourself a favor, google "democrat Scandals". Then read. The dems are just as corrupt if not worse than the republicans, this might come as sort of a surprise to some since they don't report this on CNN, but you should be able to find a 7 page document with every scandal and case of corruption for the past 20 years. They had NO intention of change, except for the new guys. I bet you by this time next year these same freshman who championed change will stand alongside the vets when they recieve those nice fat donations from lobbyist.

Isn't it odd there are only three comments (now four) on this story. No Fire breathing "string em up" comments like some others. Maybe we don't want the system to change or we just can't get excited as much by reform as we can get by "scandel" I guess we really are a nation more impressed by Entertainment Tonight and Insider.